How to Identify a Borg Warner Super T-10 Transmission

Written by floyd drake iii| 13/05/2017

The Borg Warner Super T-10 was popular on Chevrolet performance models. (orange and black image by John Sfondilias from Fotolia.com)

The Borg Warner T-10 four-speed manual transmission has been used by most automakers and has solid, reliable reputation. Introduced in the 1950s, the T-10 has gone through modifications, the most important being the Super T-10, introduced in 1966; it became the Power Brute during the Super T-10s second modification, in 1974. The Power Brute was primarily used on GM "A" and "F"-body vehicles until 1982. The Super T-10 continues to be manufactured by Richmond Gear as a popular replacement transmission. Identification of the Borg Warner Super T-10 can be done visually and by finding the GM data tag.

Look at the transmission. If it's still installed, access it by going under the vehicle from behind the front wheel on the driver's side.

Count the number of bolts holding the side cover to the transmission housing. The Borg Warner T-10 has a nine-bolt side cover, unique to the T-10. This is where the shifting linkage hooks up to the transmission.

Determine whether the transmission is cast iron or aluminium. Aluminium transmission housings are smooth, whereas cast-iron units have a textured surface. Not all aluminium housings are Super T-10s, but all Super T-10s are aluminium.

Count the splines on the input shaft. The input shaft goes from the transmission into the engine. The transmission needs to be removed for this. According to Kajun Enterprises' FAQs page, the Super T-10 has 32 splines. The splines are the grooves on the end of the shaft.

Find the GM tag attached to the transmission housing. According to Hemmings, the Super T-10 is identified on the tag as M-18, M-21 or M-24.